US2537363A

US2537363A - Tiltable cabinet

Info

Publication number: US2537363A
Application number: US649240A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles G Minor
Original assignee: ALBERT G MCCALEB
Current assignee: ALBERT G MCCALEB
Priority date: 1946-02-21
Filing date: 1946-02-21
Publication date: 1951-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1968-01-09

Description

Jan. 9, 1951 3. 5. MINOR 2,537,363

TILTABLE CABINET Filed Feb. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 9, 1951' c. G. MINOR TIL'IABLE CABINET Filed Feb. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1951 c. e. MINOR 2,537,363

TILTABLE CABINET I Filed Feb. 21. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I I I C. G. MlNOR I TILTABLE CABINET Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Feb. 21. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 I)? .1111 a 1v 5:.

Jan. 9, 1951 c. G. MINOR 2,537,363

TILTABLE CABINET Filed Feb. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmu'uuu 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 C. G. MINOR TILTABLE CABINET Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Feb. 21, 1946.

C. G. MINOR TILTABLE CABINET 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 v Jan. 9, 1951 c. G.- MINOR TILTABLE CABINET l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 Jan. 9, 1951 12 Sheets-SheetQ Filed Feb. 2]., 1946 --/ZZ /Z5 C. G. MINOR TILTABLE CABINET Jan. 9, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 C. G. MINOR TILTABLE CABINET Jan. 9, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 C. G. MINOR TILTABLE CABINET Jan. 9, 1951 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 l2 Sheets-Sheet l2 Patented Jan. 9, 1951 TILTABLE CABINET Charles G. Minor, Evanston, 111.. asslgnor of onehalf to Albert G. McCaleb, Evanston, Ill.

Application February 21, 1946, Serial No. 649,240

My present invention relates to tiltable refrigerator cabinets, and more particularly to those adapted to use for food preservation and storage in homes, stores, restaurants and the like, and wherein aiunitary cabinet may have a compartment suited to freezing of foods and/ or storage of frozen foods or the preservation of foods by cooling without freezing, or compartments for both kinds of food preservation.

Some of the subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is covered in my co-pending application Serial N0. 164,111, filed May '25, 1950, and entitled Refrigerator Cabinets.

Added to the multitudinous problems confronted in refrigerator cabinet design with respect to the provision of a well insulated and efficient cabinet, as well as those related to manufacturing processes and costs, there are also, in addition to general appearance, those further considerations concerned with accessibility and visibility of the contents, convenience of adding to and removing articles from the contents of the cabinet and the ratio of storage space to the useful space in a roomwhich is occupied by the cabinet and necessarily kept clear for its use. While the refrigerator cabinets disclosed herein for illustrative purposes comprise designs calculated to include provisions for good heat insulation and to take advantage of many factors contributing efficiency and durability, as well as sound manufacturing practices, particular attention has been paid to the improvements of accessibility, visibility and classification of the contents, convenience of use, and large capacity in proportion to the room space required, as well as general utility and appearance.

It is, therefore, among the more general objects of my invention to provide refrigerator cabinets embodying features of sound structural design and which are generally improved from the standpoints of utility and convenience in use.

As another object, the present invention comprehends the provision of refrigerator cabinets constructed and arranged to promote improved ease of access to all parts of the interior.

My invention further contemplates the provision of refrigerator cabinets wherein a part which serves an essential function in the cabinet structure may also be used as a conveniently disposed utility shelf when the cabinet is-either open or closed, and which utility shelf is particularly well placed and suited to use during placement of material in or removal of material from the cabinet.

Another object of my invention is to provide Claims. (01. 312-155) refrigerator cabinets in which the opening of the cabinets is effected by relatively movable cabinet .parts and in a manner such that air turbulence at the opening and the resultant interchange of heat and moisture between the chilled air within the cabinet and the surrounding atmosphere are definitely limited.

The present invention has for another object the provision of refrigerator cabinets in which the cover and body portion of the cabinet are so movable relative to one another for opening the cabinet that, while free access is provided to the interior without the necessity of manually holding one of the parts, the cover may be utilized as an adjacent loading or unloading shelf before, during and/or after the opening movement.

For a further object, my present invention contemplates the provision of refrigerator cabinets provided with insertable and movable separators of either a heat conducting type adapted to use in segregation and classification of the contents, or of a heat insulating type suited to the segregation of a quick freezing section, the establishment of varying temperature zones within the cabinet, and the like.

It is further contemplated, as an object of the present invention, to provide refrigerator cabinets in which the closure means is normally biased toward its closed position so as to effect a good heat insulating seal between the parts which are separable for opening.

My invention also provides a structure for refrigerator cabinets which permits the combination into a unitary assembly of a food freezing and storage cabinet and a cabinet operating'at a temperature suited to food preservation without freezing, which unitary assembly occupies only a relatively small percentage more floor space than the usual cabinets of either type and of like capacity.

In addition to providing refrigerator cabinets having one or more of the aforementioned features, I have also provided cabinets with the mechanical refrigeration units housed therein and which have ample provision for the circulation of cooling air around the refrigeration units.

As an additional feature, it is an object of my present invention to provide refrigerator cabinets in which frosting and thermosyphonic action are minimized.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the twelve sheets of drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively perspective views of a refrigerator cabinet embodying a preferred form of my invention which depict the positions of the parts in their closed and open positions;

Fig. 3 is an end sectional view of the refrigerator cabinet shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the parts in their normally closed relationship and with portions cut away to illustrate certain details of the structure;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure illustrated in Fig. 3, with the section taken substantially on a line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are each fragmentary views drawn to an enlarged scale of portions of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and each of which has cut away portions for the illustration of structural details;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 3, but drawn to a larger scale and depicting the movements of certain parts of the refrigerator cabinet in passing between the open and closed positions;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of a portion of the refrigerator structure shown in Fig. 7 and wherein the section is taken substantially on a line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fi 3, but depicting the relative positions of the refrigerator cabinet parts when the cabinet is open for access to the interior;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively fragmentary sectional views to an enlarged scale of portions of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Fig. 9, and wherein the sections are taken substantially on lines l0-l0, H-l I, and l2-l2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Fig. 9 when viewed substantially as indicated by a line l3-l3 in Fig. 9 and in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figs. 14 and 15 are fragmentary perspective views of removable supplementary parts adapted to use in my preferred refrigerator cabinet in a manner such as that indicated in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an end sectional view simi.ar to Fig. 3 of a refrigerator cabinet embodying my invention and which includes modifications of certain parts and details of structure;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure illustrated in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 16 with the section taken substantially on a line l8-l8 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is an end sectional view similar to Fig. 16 but showing the disposition of the parts of the refrigerator cabinet when in the open position;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Fig. 19 with the section taken substantially on a line 20-20 of Fig. 19;

Figs. 21 and 22 are respectively front and side elevational views of a refrigerator cabinet embodying further modifications of my present invention;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of a portion of t re refrigerator structure shown in Fig. 21 with the section taken substantially on a line 23-23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a side sectional view of the refri erator cabinet structure shown in Figs. 21 and 22 and wherein the section is taken substantially on a line 24-24 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 25 is a front view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Fig. 21 with parts cut away at various portions of the cabinet structure to illustratecertain internal details;

.Fig. 26 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure depicted in Fig. 25 and viewed substantially as indicated by a line 26-26 in Fig. 25 and the accompanying arrows;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a refrigerator cabinet embodying additional modifications of this invention and having portions cut away to show details of internal structure;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view to an enlarged scale of a portion of the refrigerator cabinet structure shown in Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a part of the refrigerator cabinet structure illustrated in Fig. 27;

Fig. 30 is a side sectional view of my refrigerator cabinet structure which is shown in Fig. 2'7 and wherein the section is taken substantially on a line 30-30 of Fig. 2'7; and

'Fig. 31 is a fragmentary side view to an enlarged scae of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 30 and including a cut away section to illustrate certain details of internal structure.

The various views and forms of my invention which are depicted in the accompanying drawings are illustrative of certain structural features and principles of my invention as well as exemplary of structural modifications and variations which maybe made without departing in any way from the purview of the invention. On the contrary, such modifications and variations have been illustrated by way of indication of the range of adaptations of the invention rather than to depict limitations.

In order to simplify the description of the various illustrative and modified forms of my invention and because of the considerable number 'of substantially similar parts in the various forms,

those similar parts will be referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views and the descriptions of such parts will be, considered to apply to all of the views, except in respect to the differences particularly pointed out.

Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, illustrate a preferred embodiment of my refrigerator cabinet which is well adapted, although not limited, to use for the preservation of frozen foods and the like and/or the freezing or storage of foods and the like. In such an adaptation the temperature of th interior of the cabinet is maintained at a lower value than in refrigerators used for the preservation of foods at temperatures above that at which they will freeze. Usually when foods are frozen for storage or preserved in their frozen state, the expected time of preservation is longer than for the preservation of foods at temperatures above freezing, and, as a general rule, such foods when frozen are in a solid state. Thus they may be packed within the refrigerator cabinet in closely spaced relationship and without the desirability of having momentary access to any one of a wide variety of the stored articles. Although classification by Segregation is desirable in any instance, some articles may be removed from the interior of the cabinet to accomplish the infrequent access to others and withoutdetriment, over a reasonable period, to the removed frozen articles.

Since the frozen foods and the like may be closely packed within the refrigerator cabinet, a compact cabinet of reasonably small volume furnishes storage capacity for a considerable amount of such frozen food. In my refrigerator cabinet which is depicted in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, I have not only taken into account the provision of a cabinet having an easily accessible interior within easy view of the user and which provides a large storage space as compared with the room space occupied thereby, but I have also provided a cabinet which limits the heat loss due to opening and closing, and provides a shelf which is particularly useful in an adaptation to the storage of frozen foods because of its usefulness during loading and unloading of the cabinet or during the removal and replacement of articles when access is desired to those beneath th ones at the top of the cabinet.

Generally considered, and as depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the refrigerator cabinet 35 includes an outer casing 36 which comprises a base 31 to which are secured opposed and upwardly extending end walls 38 and a back wall 39. The base 31 may be made of either metal or wood, while the end walls 38 and back wall 39 are preferably made-of suitably cut and formed sheet metal parts. A heat insulated container 40 defines a refrigerated compartment 42 for the storage of foods and the like and 'coacts with a heat insulating cover 43 to form a closed refrigerating chamber. For ease of access, even to articles placed in the bottom of the compartment 42, and so that the cover 43 may be utilized as a temporary loading and unloading shelf, I have so constructed my disclosed cabinet that the heat insulated container 40 may be opened for access to the interior by forward rocking movement during which the cover 43 remains in a substantialy horizontal position and is handily disposed adjacent the open top of the insulated container when the container is moved to its open position.

Having more detailed reference to the structure by which the foregoing and other advantageous features of operation are attained, and referring more generally to Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, the heat insulated container 40 has a bottom 44, front and rear walls 45 and 46, respectively, and end walls 41, which walls are desirably constructed with suitably shaped exterior and interior metal shells 48 and 49, respectively, secured together at the top by suitable means, such as welding, and between which is a substantial filling 50 of heat insulating material. Although other shapes might be utilized for similarly constructed cabinets, it is my preference in the present instance that the insulated cabinet 40 shall be rectangular in both transverse directions, and present a generally flat upper surface around the refrigerated compartment. As illustrated in Fig. 3, it is also my preference that the interior metal shell 49, in addition to providing a smooth inner lining for the container, shall also serve as a part of an evaporator 52 having tubes 53 for the evaporation of the refrigerant which cools the refrigerated compartment. For providing well distributed and effective refrigeration, the evaporator 52 covers the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls 45 and 46 and the end walls 41, so as completely to en- 'circle the refrigerated compartment.

To support the heat insulated container for rocking movement between upright and forward- 6 1y tilted positions. as shown in Figs. 3 and 9, respectively, and to provide stable support for the container in each of those positions, I have provided metal plates 54 which are secured to each end of the container by suitable fastening means, such as rivets 55, and have lower edges 56 and 51 disposed in obtuse angular relationship. Each of the metal plates 54 carries a bearing '58 substantially at the vertex of the angularly disposed sides 56 and 51 which is rotatably carried by a shaft 59. Although suitable operation and tilting action are attainable with the axis of the shaft 59 disposed at different positions relative to the base 31, it is deemed preferable, in the present instance, that the axis be located substantially midway between the front and rear edges of the base 31. The shafts 59 on each side of the base are carried by suitable means, such as an angle iron base frame 60 which is secured to the lower edges of the end walls 38 of the outer casin and to the base 31. I

The height of the metal end plates 54 is not only sufficient to provide a suitable obtuse angle between the lower edges 56 and 51 of the plate for supporting the insulated container in suitable upright and tilted positions, but is also desirably sufficient to provide room beneath the bottom of the insulated container for housing parts of the refrigeration apparatus of any desired type which are illustrated for exemplary purposes as a compressor unit 62 and a condenser unit 63. With this type of refrigeration apparatus, electrical connections are made to the compressor unit through a connector 64, mounted on the back wall 39 of the outer casing, and conductors such as 65.

In the form of my refrigerator cabinet depicted in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, the compressor unit 62 and condenser unit 63 are carried by suitable support strips extending between the lower edge of the metal end plates 54 so that those units move with the insulated container when it is tilted and have normal positions dependent upon the position of the container. In this instance the connections for the flow of refrigerant to and from the evaporator 52 are fixed relative to each of the parts of the refrigeration system and need not include any flexible connections. The conductors 65 are flexible to permit the movement of the electrically driven compressor unit. The positions assumed by the compressor unit and condenser unit when the container is in its upright and tilted positions are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 9, respectively.

With the parts of the refrigeration system housed within the outer casing 36, and between the base 31 and the bottom of the insulated container, it is necessary to provide for the circulation of cooling air through the condenser unit and around the compressor unit. For this reason the insulated container 49 is desirably secured to the base 31 in a position such that it is spaced forwardly from the back wall 39 of the outer casing 36, so as to provide a passage 66 for the flow of cooling air upwardly between those parts of the cabinet. The cooling air enters the space between the bottom of the insulated container 49 and the base 31 through the front.

Although a cover 61 is provided to improve the appearance of the lower portion of the front of the cabinet, the cover has a series of louvers 68 which permit the inward passage of cooling air through the cover. In order that the cover 61 may be free to move with the insulated container 40 when it is tilted, it is carried at its lower edge by a hinge 69 secured to the front margin of the base 31. Rotatably supported rollers I are desirably carried by the cover 91 near the upper edge thereof and engage the front surface of the insulated container to roll along the surface of the container as it is tilted. Resilient means, such as a tension spring 12, having one end connected to the cover and one end anchored to the base, biases the cover toward the container and maintains engagement of the roller ill with the container.

In order to cushion the extremities of the tilting movements of the container 40 and to regulate its rate of movement in either direction, I have provided a fluid controlled dashpot 13 which has one end rotatably anchored to the back wall 39 of the outer casing by means such as a bracket I4, and its other end adjustably connected to the outer surface of the rear wall 46 of the insulated container through means such as a bracket 15. The action of the dashpot is such that it prevents quick or sudden movements of the container in either direction after the tilting has been started, and prevents jolts to the container or its contents at the extremities of the tilting movements.

To improve the outer appearance and smoothness of the cabinet, the front wall 45 of the insulated container desirably has laterally projecting side wings 16 extending to positions flush with the outer surfaces of the end walls 38 of the casing and engaging the front surfaces of those end walls when the container is in the upright position.

Since the container 40 tilts about an axis which is disposed between the front and rear walls thereof, the front wall 45 and the front portions of the end walls 41 hav downward components of movement which accompany the forward tilting of the container; while the rear wall 46 and the rear portions of the end walls 41 have upward components of movement. Thus, in order for the cover 43 to clear the upper surface of the container during such tilting movement, while providing a relatively tight closure seal when the container is in the upright position, the cover must be moved upwardly away from the top of the container during the forward tilting movement and moved downwardly to the top of the container during its return movement. In order to effect the provision of additional relief for the separation of the cover from the top surface of the container along the rear edge of the container, I prefer to bevel the rear top surface of the container, as indicated at '11 in Figs. 3, '7 and 9. The cover 43 has a coasting sloping surface 19 along its rear edge. The slope of those meeting surfaces effects more direct separation and engagement between those parts of the surfaces during the initial separation and final closing movements.

As has been mentioned heretofore, I also consider it desirable that the cover 43 shall be supported in a horizontal position when the container is opened by tilting movement so that it may be utilized as a convenient shelf for the support of articles during the loading and unloading of the refrigerated compartment. In order to provide a substantial support for the cover 43, as well as to effect its upward and downward movements during the tilting of the container and without the necessity of separate manual operations, I have provided a cover raising and support mechanism which automatically actuates the cover in response to the tilting movements of the container. This mechanism 8 includes forwardly extending side arms J9 which are disposed between the end walls 33 of the outer casing and the end walls 41 of the insulated container. Each of the forwardly extending side arms 19 is carried for linear vertical movement by vertically separated

studs

90 and 82 located near the rear edge of the arm and slidable in slots 83 and 34. respectively, in

brackets

95 and 86 which are secured to and carried by the back wall 39 of the casing, as depicted in Figs. 3, '1, 9 and 10. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the studs preferably have end portions threaded into brackets, such as 31, secured to the inner surfaces of the arms I9. In the case of the upper studs 80, they extend through rearwardly projecting support bars 88 on opposite sides of the cover 43 to support the rear edge of the cover in addition to extending through the slots 93 in the brackets 85. At their forward ends the arms 19 are guided and supported for sliding movement by channels 89 carried by the end walls 33 of the casing, as shown in Fig. 11.

To provide an adjustable support for the front of the cover 43 from the forward end portions of the arms 19, I have provided screws 90 on each side of the cover which are threaded into brackets, such as 92 (Fig. 12), secured to the upper edges of the inner surfaces of the arms 19. The head portions of the screws 90 have a circumferential channel 93 in which a bifurcated end portion 94 of a cover support bracket 95 is mounted. While the screws 90 are rotatable relative to the bifurcated end portions of the brackets 35 to permit vertical adjustment of the position of the cover relative to the arms 19 and the upper surface of the insulated container 40, those end portions are retained within the channel in both vertical directions of movement to tie the cover and arms together for movement in both directions. The upper ends of the brackets 95 are secured to the outer edge portions of the cover.

Although various forms of motion translating mechanisms or linkages are usable for effecting vertical movement of the cover 43 in response to tilting movements of the container 40, the result is effected in the presently disclosed embodiment of my invention by camming means including a cam roller 35 rotatably supported on each side of the container 40 and coacting with the surfaces of a slot 91 in each of the arms 19. Each of the rollers 96 is rotatably supported by a screw 99 having an end portion threaded into a bracket 99 secured to the outer surface of the insulated container 49, as shown in Fig. 8. By preference, the shape of the slot is such that the initial tilting movement of the container 40 from its upright position effects a relatively quick and sudden rise of thecover 43 away from the upper surface of the container. After the initial separation of the cover from the container, the movement of the cover need only be suflicient to maintain a clearance between the cover and the container during the remainder of the tilting movement of the container. The rapid initial separation of the cover from the container is produced by an angularly disposed end portion I00 of the slot 91; while the remainder of the movement of the cover is controlled by the remaining relatively straight portion of the slot.

As shown in Fig. 7, the arcuate path of the rear edge portion of the container is substantially as indicated by the dot and dash line I02. During that movement of the container 40, the movement of the cover corresponding to the various angular positions of the container is substantially as indicated by the dot and dash line I03. A portion I04 of the line I03 depicts the rapid initial/separation of the cover 43 and its rapid seating movement during the starting and completion of the container movements from and to the upright position.

When the container is moved from its upright position, as shown in Fig. 3, to the forwardly tilted position shown in Fig. 9, the side arms 19 are moved vertically and. carry with them the cover 43. Fig. 7 provides a composite indication of the movement of the parts. During the forward tilting movement of the container 40, the cam roller 96 moves from the position shown in solid lines to that indicated in dot and dash lines at 96a. Coaction between the roller 96 and the edge of the slot 91 produces the upward movement of the arms 19 so that the slot reaches a position such as that depicted in dot and dash lines at Slaand the cover reaches substantially the position depicted by the dot and dash lines at 43a. The dot and dash lines 400. indicate the forwardly tilted position of the container.

Manual movement of the container 40 between its upright and tilted positions is facilitated by the provisions of a handle I which is secured to the front wall 45 of the container.

Although various forms and types of gaskets may be utilized to provide a tight seal between the cover 43 and the top surface of the insulated container 40, the present embodiment of my invention includes a gasket I06 which is made of a relatively flevible and wear-res stant heat in ulating material and has a plurality of contacting surfaces engaging the cover and container, as shown in Fig. 6. The gasket I06 in this instance is secured to the cover by fasteningmeans, such as rivets I01, along the inner and outer edges thereof, and has portions I08, I09 and H0 which engage the upper surface of the heat insulated container.

Adjustment of the screws 90, which interconnect the cover 43 and the arms 19, controls the angular posiion of the cover relative to those arms and also adjusts the level of the cover so that a tight squeeze is effected against the surfaces of the gasket thereb to produce a tightly sealed joint. In order further to insure a tight seal beween the cover 43 and the top surface of the container 40, a tension spring H2 biases each of the arms 19 downwardly and thereby adds to the force of gravity in holding the cover 43 and its gasket against the upper surface of the container. One end of each of the springs H2 is anchored to a bracket I I3 on the inner surface of the back wall 39 of the outer casing. The other end of each of the springs is connected to one of the arms 19. Having the parts thus held in their closed positions, no latch mechanism is required for the purpose.

Within the refrigerated compartment 42, the classification and location of the contents are facilitated by the use of movable and removable separators. In Figs. 13, 14 and 15, two types of separators are illustrated in an adaptation to the disclosed refrigerator cabinet. A heat conductive separator I I4 made of a heat conducive material, such as metal, and desirably perforated with a multiplicity of air passages I I5, isadaped to use for the separation or classification of the contents of one or more portions of the interior of the refrigerated compartment in insances such that practically the same temperature is desired on both sides of the partition. On the'other hand.

4 housed below the when a temperature differential is desired on the two sides of a partition, a heat insulating separator H6, which may either be made of heat insulating material or coated with such a material,

5 is used to segregate the desired portions of the refrigerated compartment.

. One manner of removably and adjustably supporting the separators within the refrigerated compartment is illustrated in Fig. 13. In this inll) stance, a plurality of metallic channels I I! are secured in opposed and equally spaced relationship to opposite inner walls of the heat insulated container 40. Either of the types of separators H4 or H6 has end portions slida-ble into the channels H1 at a desired position. Although for illustrative purposes the channels H'l have been shown as continuous, it may be understood that they may comprise longitudinally separated sections, so as to permit lateral swinging movement accompanied by a relafively short linear movement for effecting the insertion or removal of the separators. As an example of one type of use for the insulated separator H6, that separator may be placed in a position near one end of the refri erated compartment so as to segregate an end portion of the compartment having portions of the evaporator on three sides. Such use of the insulated separator is effective for segregating a portion of the refrigerated compartment for use in quickly freezing a quantity of food or the like.

When two insulating separators are used to segregate a section near the mid-portion of the refrigerated compartment, that segregated portion has less evaporator area per unit of volume than the end portions.

The refrigerator cabinet illustrated in Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive, is generally similar in structure to that shown in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, except that the parts of the refrigeration system which are insulated container are mounted directly on the base, and in addition to having the cover raise automatically upon tilting the container, the cover may be swung upwardly to provide access to the refrigerated compartment. The foregoing description of the structure and operation of the refrigerator cabinet illustrated in Figs. 1 to 15, inclusive, is applicable to that of the form shown in Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive, except in respects which will be pointed out with particular reference to Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive,

and it may be understood that reference numerals in the latter figures, which are similar to those previously used, refer to like parts.

With the compressor 62 and condenser 63 mounted directly on the base 31, as shown in Figs.

16 and 19, those parts remain stationary when the container is tilted. As a result, those parts and their weight need not be moved during the tilting of the container. It is necessary, however,

to provide flexible elements in the connections between those parts of the refrigeration system and the evaporator which is carried within the container.

The cover 43 and cover raising mechanism in- :5 eluding the arms 19,

support brackets

85 and 86,

cam roller 96, and slot 91, are generally similar in structure and operation to those illustrated in Figs. 3, 7 and 9. However, since it is desired that the cover 43 may be swung upwardly to a raised position providing access to the interior of the As depicted in Figs. 16, 19 and 20, a screw H8,

acaases which is threaded into the bracket 92, provides an adiustable seat foran end portion II3 of a bracket I secured to the cover. The adjusted position of the screw Ill determines the position at which the vertical movement of the arms 13 becomes effective to raise the cover during the forward tilting movement of the container, The adjusted positions of thescrews H8 is also such that when the container is in the upright position, the cover firmly andfully seats against .the upper surface of'the container.

Since there is no connection-between the-screw III and the bracket I20 by which the downward movement of the arms 19 applies a sealing force to the forward portion 'of the cover, the forward end of the cover is desirably latched in the closed position by a releasable latch mechanism I22, such as that illustrated in Fig. 17. The use of a latch mechanism of the type disclosed in Fig. 17 necessitates the application of manual pressure to a latch actuating knob I23 at the time force is applied for tilting the container or when it is desired to raise the cover without tilting the container. The latch actuating knob I23 has an inwardly extending plunger I24 which is slidably 12 In Fig. 19 the positions of the parts are illustrated as they appear bvhen the cabinet is open. When desired, the cabinet may be opened by the forward tilting movement of the container 40, in which instance the cover 43 is raised to the position indicated by the dot and dash lines at 43b.

In this position the bracket I20 rests against the head of the screw 8 to support the cover so that it may be used for a shelf. If desired, the cover may also be raised to a position such as that indicated in solid lines in Fig. 19 when the container 40 is either upright or tilted, and it will maintain that raised position clue to the action while the other compartment is adapted to the supported in the front wall of the container and is normally biased outwardly by a compression spring 125.

Within a latch housing I26 a latch v pawl I21 is supported for swinging movement by by movement of the actuating knob I23; while latching of the awl may be effected by downward movement of the cover 43 and the engagement of the beveled end surfaces of the latch plate I30 and pawl I21.

Although the cover 43 is hinged for upward swinging movement by the studs 80 upon the application of manual force to a knob I33 on the front of the cover, it is deemed preferable to provide means other than the continued application of manual force for holding the cover in the open position. For this purpose, and as depicted in Figs. 16, 18 and 19, the rearwardly extending support bars 88 have integral portions I34 extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom which act as arms of a toggle mechanism. Telescopically engaging cylindrical parts I35and I35 form a housing I31 which encloses a compression spring I33. The outer end of each of the housing parts I35 is rotatably connected to one of the downwardly extending portions I34 of the support bars 88 by fastening means, such as a cap screw I39. The opposite end of each of the other housing parts I35 is anchored for swinging movement by a cap screw I threaded into a bracket I42 which is secured to the inner surface of one of the arms 19. The normal angular dispositions of the support bar portions I34 and the axis of the Springs I38 are such that the cover 43 is biased toward the closed position. However, when the cover 43 is, raised, the action line of the compression spring I33 crosses a center line of movement to change the angular dispositions of the parts so that the springs I38 bias the cover to the open position and prevent it from closing until manual force is applied for that purpose.

F18. 16 illustrates the relative positions of the parts of the refrigerator cabinet when it is closedpreservation of foods at temperatures above freezing. In addition to the conservation of space by the mounting of one such refrigerated compartment above the other, certain features of my disclosed refrigerator cabinet structures and design make possible the large refrigerator partments is utilized for operation below freezing temperatures and the other is used for food preservation at temperatures above freezing, it is desirable that separate refrigeration systems should be used and alternately operated for the cooling of the compartments.

In my preferred construction, a lower cabinet I43 is utilized for operation at temperatures below freezing and is constructed substantially in accordance with the form illustrated in Figs. 16

to 20, inclusive, for opening either by forward tilting movement of the insulated container 40 or by the raising of the cover 43. Directly above the lower cabinet I43 is an upper cabinet I44 adapted to use for the storage of foods at temperatures above freezing. Mounted inside byv side relationship on the base 31 for the cooling of the separated cabinets are the parts of separate refrigeration systems including compressor units 62A and B2B, and condenser units such as 63A.

An outer casing I45 has opposed end walls I48 and a back wall I 41 which extend upwardly beyond the top of the lower cabinet I43 and to a height such that an upper cabinet of the desired volume is carried by and between the end walls I46 at a distance above the lower cabinet sum-'- cient to permit the raising of the cover 43. Except for its height and necessary rigidity, the general structure of the outer casing I45 is quite similar to that utilized for the cabinets disclosed in Figs. 1 to 20, inclusive.

As illustrated in Fig. 24, the lower cabinet I 43, like the cabinet shown in Figs. 16 to 20, inclusive, may be opened by tilting the container 4| forwardly to a position such as that shown in dot and dash lines at 400. when the container is thus tilted forwardly, the cover 43 is raised automatically from the position shown in solid lines to'that indicated in dot and dash lines at 430. When desired, the cover 43 may be further raised manually to the position indicated in dot 7 and dash lines at 43d.

For convenience of access and easy vision into the interior, the upper cabinet I44 desirably opens forwardly. It comprises a heat insulating container I48 having heat insulated walls con structed in substantially the same manner as those utilized in the previously described cabinet. In addition to being secured to the end walls I46 of the outer casing, the upper container I48 is additionally supported and reenforced by means including a transverse angle strip I49.

The evaporator utilized in the upper cabinet I44 is preferably of the type utilized in the cabinet depicted in Fig. 3, although other types of evaporator units will serve the desired purpose.

Since the height of the upper cabinet I44 is desirably such that it provides ease of vision into the interior for a person of ordinary size and ease of access for reaching into the interior, it may very well be opened within the limits of movement provided by a room of ordinary height by a cover I50 supported for upward movement across the opening rather than by an outward swinging movement into the room. Such movement of the cover across the opening has ad-- vantages in that it avoids the necessity of choice between right and left-hand swinging movement, does not require a large open space in front of the cabinet into which the cover may ,'wing, andits movement does not create turbulence which effects an interchange of air between the room and the refrigerated compartment.

In the disclosed form of my cabinet and as illustrated in Fig. 24, the cover I50 is movably carried by a parallelogram type of support which includes an angle strip I52 secured to the rear surface of each outer side edge of the cover and to which rearwardly extending parallel arms I53 and I54 have their end connected in spaced relationship for vertical swinging movement. The other ends of the arms I53 and I54 are rotatably supported for swinging movement about axes provided by means such as studs I55 and I56 carried by the end walls I45 of the outer casing.

A gasket I51, which may be of a type such.

a that disclosed in Fig. 6, is secured to the surfaces of the cover which form a seal with the front surfaces of the container and to the lower end surface of the cover which seats against a projecting end portion I58'of the lower wall of the container. By preference, an upper seating surface- I59 of the projecting end portion I58 slopes inwardly so that the seating of the cover thereagainst tends to urge the other sealing surfaces of the cover into engagement with the container.

Since the cover I50 swings in an arcuate path by virtue of its being carried by the swinging ends of the arms I53 and I54 which swing about substantially fixed axes, it desirably engages the front surface of the container snugly when in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 24, and desirably engages the upper edge of the container when swung to the open position indicated in dot and dash lines at I50a. When moved to the open position, the arms I53 and I 54 swing from the positions shown in solid lines in Fig. 24 to those indicated at I53a and I54a. Tight seating of the cover against the front surface of the container and complete closure of the cover are insured by providing some room for play between the studs I55 and I56 and the arms I53 and I54 which are supported thereby. In

Iii

the present 1 tance, openings I60 and I52, through which the studs I 55 and I56 extend, are somewhat elongated. Tension springs, such as I63, at each side of the container and each having one end secured to the channel strip I52 and its other end adjustably anchored to a bracket I64 on the rear of the container, urge the cover toward engagement with the container. The lengths of the arms I53 and I54, however, are such that the cover moves out of its seating engagement with the container at each end of its path of movement and remains out of engagement during the intermediate portion of the movement. This minimizes the wear on the gasket I51. In order to lengthen the limits of movement of the cover I50, side portions I65 extend downwardly beyond the seating surface I59 to provide lower anchoring positions for the front ends of the arms I53 and thus increase their lengths and the resultant paths of movement.

In order to obtain the maximum range of movement of the cover I50 within a given space, the arms I53 and I54 desirably swing equidistantly on either side of their respective center lines of movement. Such movement of the arms makes the arcuate path of the cover symmetrical with respect to the front surface of the container. In the upper position a positive stop is desirably provided for the cover I50. For this purpose I have utilized straps I66 secured to opposite ends of the container and having outwardly extending ends I61 which engage the arms I56 at their upper limitof angular movement.

The angu ar disposition of the tension springs I 63 is such that in the closed position of the cover they provide a supplementary force tending to urge the cover into sealing engagement with the container, as well as tending to raise the cover to the open position. In the open position of the cover the springs I63 exert a component of force which biases the cover to that open position and retains it in such position until manually closed. To attain this result the action line of the springs I63 crosses a line at which their direction of biasing force changes relative to the direction of movement of the cover. Fluid controlled dashpots, such as I68, are desirably connected to the arms I53 and anchored to the ends of the container to cushion the motion of the cover I50, at least in the downward direction. Such dashpots prevent the cover from dropping forcibly against the lower seating surface I59 if accidentally dropped,

A handle I69 mounted on the front surface of the cover I50 is provided for gripping the cover during its opening and closing movements. To insure the retention of the cover I50 in a tightly closed position, a releasable latch mechanism I22, which may be of theconstruction illustrated in Fig. 17, is mounted in the projecting end portion I58 of the lower container wall and has the exposed actuating knob I23 for effecting its release.

Tight sealing engagement of the upper portion of the cover I50 against the front surface of the l'llSJ? ted container I48 is desirably insured by a supplementary wedging attachment such as that illustrated in Fig. 23. An angle bracket I10 is secured in a recessed portion I12 of the upper edge surface of the cover I50 and has an inwardly p'rojecting portion which carries an adjustable and downwardly projecting cap screw I13. Secured in an adjacent recessed portion of the insulated container I48 is a recessed fitting I14 having an upwardly extending andtapered wedge portion I15. Upon upward movement of the cover I50 relative to the container I48, the screw I13 moves away from the wedge-like portion I15 of the fitting. However, upon reaching a seating position, the adjustment of the screw I18 is such that its engagement with the wedge-like portion I15 draws the cover inwardly toward the container to effect a tight seal as well as to serve as a supplementary stop for the downward movement of the cover.

In the form of my refrigerator cabinet depicted in Figs. 21 to 26, inclusive, separate refrigerated containers are provided in a unitary structure, each of which containers is easily accessible and disposed at a convenient level. In addition, space isprovided between the containers which may be utilized for general utility purposes.v

In Figs. 27 to 31, inclusive, an additional modilied form of my refrigerator cabinet is illustrated. Like the form of my cabinet depicted in Figs. 21 to 26, inclusive, the cabinet shown in Figs. 27 to 31, inclusive, serves a dual purpose by having two separate refrigerated compartments in a unitary refrigerator structure. In the latter cabinet, however, the upper and lower containers are closely spaced in the vertical direction, the utility space betweenthe containers is omitted, and the cabinet generally presents a compact unit having large storage capacity in comparison with its occupied space.

The general structure of the casing and the refrigeration system, as well as the structure of the upper refrigerated container, is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 21 to 26, inclusive, and previously described. Although the general structure of the lower refrigerated container and the cover raising mechanism is quite similar to that previously described, the cover raising mechanism in the present instance has been altered in certain respects.

' As in the form depicted in Figs. Ito l5, inclusive, the cover 43 for the lower container in Figs. 27 to 31, inclusive, is supported for linear vertical movement by the forwardly projecting arms 19 and is connected to those arms for movement in both directions by the slotted screws 80 and brackets 95 having the bifurcated end portions 94 which extend into the circumferential channel 93 of the screws. Springs H2 acting upon the arms 19 bias the cover 43 into seating engagement with the upper surface of the insulated container 48.

However, instead of the cam rollers 86 and the coacting slots 81 in the arms 18 of the previously described forms of my invention, I have provided rollers I16 carried by shafts I11 and mounted for rotation in recesses I18 in the upper edges of the insulated container 40, which rollers engagethe lower surface of the cover 43 to move it upwardly during the outward rocking movement of the container. By preference the rollers are disposed substantially at the intersection of the beveled surface 11 with the upper plane surface of the container so that in the closed position, as depicted in Fig. 31, the rollers are substantially tangent to the angularly disposed surfaces of the cover near the rear edge thereof. When the container 40 is tilted forwardly to a position such as that indicated in dot and dash lines at 40a in Fig. 30, the rollers move along the lower surface of the cover 43 to raise the cover to a position such as that depicted in dot and dash lines at 43e.

Engagement between the rollers I18 and the 16 cover sealing gaskets is prevented by utilizing two separated gaskets I19 and I80 secured to the cover 43 in parallel relationship by fastening means, such as rivets I82, as disclosed in Fig. 28. The rollers thus engage the metallic surface of the cover 43.

In order to improve the appearance of the front of the cabinet and to provide an enclosure for the front surface of the cover 43, a removable apron I83 is provided. As shown in Figs. 27, 29 and 30, the apron I83 has an exposed outer portion I84 and a narrower inner extension I85, which extension is slidable into channels provided by angle brackets I86 on the lower surface of the upper container I48 to support the apron.

In the various forms of refrigerator cabinets disclosed and described herein, the refrigerated compartments may be opened by a relative lateral movement between the heat insulated container and its coacting cover. Such relative lateral movement has very little tendency to effectturbulence of the air adjacent the opening as the movement occurs and, consequently, limits to a very great extent the interchange of air between the interior and exterior of the refrigerated compartment. Such interchange of the air is not only detrimental because of the accompanying heat loss but also because of the usual interchange of moisture and the resultant frosting of the interior of the refrigerated compartment.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A tiltable cabinet comprising, in combination, an outer'casing including a base, a back wall and oppositely disposed end walls, a box-like housing having an open top and fitting between said end walls of the outer casing, means carrying said box-like housing at a distance above the base for rocking movement from and toward said back wall to forwardly tilted and upright positions, stop means for supporting the box-like housing in each of said positions, hlngedly supported means covering the space between the base and box-like housing along the front surface of the box-like housing, said hingedly supported means being movable with the box-like housing, resilient means biasing the hingedly supported means toward the box-like housing, a cover for closing the open top of the box-like housing, means hingedly supporting the cover relative to the back wall of the casing for angular swinging movement relative to the top of the box-like housing to permit opening and closing of the box-like housing when it is in said upright position, and a mechanism interconnecting the box-like housin and cover for raising the cover vertically to a height sufficient to clear the box-like housing during said rocking movement thereof and while maintaining said cover in substantially horizontal planes.

2. A tiltable cabinet comprising, in combination, an outer casing including a base, a back wall and oppositely disposed end walls, a boxlike housing having an open top and fitting between said end walls of the outer casing, means